STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 August 1917, Page 3

STRATFORD.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) [All communications, letters, etc., left w:th Mr. H. J. Hopkins, bookseller, w ill teeeiyc prompt attention.]

T , , Stratford, Aug. 1. .it has deen decided to hold an openair meeting outside tlie post office on Saturday, at 7.30 p.m., in connection with the third anniversary of the war. this was found necessary in order not to inconvenience business. The resolution to assist in carrying on tho war to a successful conclusion will be moved bv the Mayor and seconded bv Mr. Ilathawav, chairman of the Coi'mtv Council. Should the evening be we't a short meeting will be held at the Town Hall. One of tho Stratford bovs. Master Stanley Ward, son of Mr. Sid. Ward, left this week to join the training ship Ampkura. There have byn many Taranaki boys who have adapted the seafaring life a» a profession, and speaking to sotfe of the parents of lads undergoing training, all have spoken highly of the care and treatment shown by the captain and officers of the vessel.

Private 0. 0. Healev, who has made previous attempts to enlist, and is now a member of the 32nd Reinforcements, is at present confined to the hospital in consequence of an injury to a knee. Mr. S. B. Hunter, T.P., occupied tho Bench this morning, when a man named James Scott was charged with being disorderly whilst drunk in Broadway last evening. Defendant pleaded guilt}'. In explanation he asid he had an altercation with a man who owed him money. Mr. Hunter, in inflicting a fine of £l. remarked that Scott's method was not the proper one to recover debts.

A most enthusiastic audience assembled in St. Andrew's ITall last evening, on the occasion of the choir concert —the third of a winter scries. Songs were rendered by the following:— Mesdames Heron and Dixon. Miss Fvfl'e. Messrs Peters, F. and T. Ranford, W. A. Belts, and Xorth; instrumental items by Mr. and the Misses Rogers and Mr. Goodwin Ford: musical monologues by Mis; Xiven and Mr. F. Kanford. and vocal quartettes by Messrs Tissiman, North, \Y. A. and jr. L. lietts. Encores and doublo encores were the rule, and it is not too much to say that practically everyone went away feeling they had spent an enjoyable evening. XFAYS FROM BRITAIN.

There are many Toko and Stratford friends of Mr. 15. Morrison who will be pleased to hear that so far he is doing all right us a member of the Expeditionary Force. In a letter to 'Mr. E. Kelleher, Corporal Morrison, 4th Reinforcements, X.Z. Tunnellcrs, writing from Christclmrch (England), says: "Our voyage took nearly eleven weeks. We were obliged to stop I*2 days at one of the ports en route, waiting for a gun crew and guns." One of the transports that left the Cape with his ship was torpedoed and sunk iu the Channel, the ICOU Australians aboard being saved.Thc stearner sank after being towed eight miles. They were lucky in getting through, as the waters appeared to be "alive" with submarines. Ilis corps were now attached to the Royal Engineers, and under English oliicers were undergoinu further training. The work done in Xew Zealand was nothing to what they had now to undertake. Physical drill.was touching him up a bit, as lie was a bit too old and still for that game Still he felt ten years younger and was standing up to the work very well. The weather was very changeable, and all had colds. They slept on boards, one blanket under and two over them, l-'ood was very dear and scarce, and if the submarines weren't settled things were going to be very serious. last jcar a very large area was put down in potatoes. Much of this labor was done by German prisoners, who '■pinched" the eyes out of the seed before planting, and the drops in some places were a comparative failure. The Germans were doing a lot of planting this year, but they were being closely watched. Australians are gdflrding them, and show little mercy. Troops are leaving for the front by the thousand every day. Rumor stated that 12,00(1 Xew Zealanders were to go over during the week. Had seen some of the Main Hody, who stated they had been having a rough time—only 180 fit men left out of 420. His brothers, Dave and Arthur, were at the front with the tunnellcrs, but he believed his corps would be retained in England for a few weeks yet. He wished to be remembered to Toko and Stratford friends, and supposed that things were quiet here 'With all'the young chaps away.

MORE ATTENTION" REQUIRED. At the dairy factory meeting on Monday Mr. R. Dinglo scored a bull's-eye with his remarks regarding fanning. In effect, he said that the past season had not been too good, and many were hoping to make more money out of their farms. Ht believed they could, and should, get more off their land. Last year had proved a bad season and was against them. Farmers should pay more attention to stock by testing and culling, whilst intensive cultivation was necessary Greater care meant more returns. If lie were a young man he would certainly i r o in for more intensive cultivation It was also poor policy to feed 1 iiidiMV:, nt cows. They ought to raise the standard of productivity per cow The average yield per eow for the Dominion was l'OOlbs butter. This was a shame. There were manv suppliers in the Stratford company who were getting double that quantity, lie was pleased to see the rush for basic slag (ten tons, nil that was available, being quickly rushed). It showed that farmers realised the value of treating the soil. If one wi-lied an object lesson on the value nf fertilisers tliey had only to notice the various pastures on a railway journey to New' Plymouth. Those farms that were well treated would carry twice the herd of a neglected pasture.

Judging from the applause, the chairman's views were held by others, and yet although for several years this lias been continually dinned into the e»vu of all, there are farmers still in our midst ivh'o are ijuite content to rub in the fcaine old way. Indeed, the writer Know* of one farmer who persistently lavs down the law to others about the correct way to farm and insists that the land does not require any special treatment. In the next breath he admits he is a poor man compared wiVn others, and cannot see that his milk vield doea not. compare favorably with others, because his fellow-suppliers are prepared to pav a better price per cow and send a little extra on fertilisers. As the seasons go by these obstinate men on the land are beginning to find out that ideas of the SO"s are scarcely applicable to present day conditions, and the methods of 1 7 are very much different to the pioneering days of their jouth. With cow-testing associations,

model dairy farms, show competitions, etc., one would believe that all men on tin; laud are convinced that nothing buttlie best in cows and pastures is desirable. et it Mr Dingle in correct (and he was 31 ot contradicted I there is a decided room for improvement, and the average yield per cow is in need -of more attention bv fanners.

There are many useful tilings to admire (and buy) in Mr. C. K. .lames' warehouse. In the windows there is Donlton ware that would please mother to have as a present, l'or poor old father there is a wide range in briars and (1.15.1). pipes, and cigars of varying degrees of strength and prices. Sister Susie would be enraptured with one oi the brooches or bangles displayed, whilst the ''book-worm'' of the family would also be pleased to handle and read somt of the latest fiction offering here.* ''A tiling of beauty is a joy for ever," and the place to secure beautiful things is in an up-to-date jewellery stock. Mr. P>en. J. Peters, of Stratford, in announcing the success attending his sale effort, which is now in full swing, lays stress on the class-value of the bargains now offering, and whether it be to-tiny, to-morrow, or the next day, you are sure to have the choice of quality goods, nothing else. The romantic side of life must not bo lost sight of, as romance has a direct bearing on our stability. Young men are requested to tall in love and then into Ben. J. Peters' sale for a good engagement ring. A nice choice in presents awaits reciprocating young ladica.*